ALERTTackling Serious and Organized Crime in Alberta

History

Unprecedented economic growth led to the creation of Criminal Intelligence Service Alberta in 1999.

first foray into integrated policing

History

Integrated policing…

combines the efforts of multiple police agencies to target a specific crime problem that is complex and crosses multiple jurisdictions.

History

Following the creation of CISA, other integrated units were formed:

Integrated Response to Organized Crime (IROC)

Integrated Child Exploitation (ICE) units

the Alberta Relationship Threat Assessment Management Initiative (ARTAMI)

other drug, gang, and intelligence units.

History

In 2006, the Government of Alberta established

Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT).

arm’s-length from government

brings together a number of integrated policing units

a first for Canada

Mandate

ALERT…

provides a coordinated provincial focus to the strategic deployment of law enforcement resources

promotes intelligence-led policing

promotes standard business practices

ensures fiscal responsibility

Mandate

Nine partner agencies:

Camrose Police Service Calgary Police Service Edmonton Police Service Lethbridge Regional Police Service Medicine Hat Police Service RCMP Alberta Sheriffs Alberta Justice Alberta Children and Youth Services

Mandate

ALERT manages 400 police officers and personnel.

Funding is provided by the Government of Alberta

municipal police and RCMP contribute a number of positions

Governance

Civilian Board of Directors

Members selected from police commissions and communities policed by RCMP

Law Enforcement Advisory Committee

Chiefs and Deputy Chiefs from partner agencies

Structure

Three operational categories:

intelligence

enforcement

support services

Intelligence

Criminal Intelligence Service Alberta (CISA) and

regional intelligence teams:

collect and share intelligence information

work with other provinces and CISC

developing a new, provincial intelligence model

Enforcement

Combined Forces Special Enforcement Units (CFSEU):

specialize in organized crime, marijuana, drug, and gang investigations

located in Edmonton, Calgary, Medicine Hat, and Fort McMurray

teams in Lethbridge, Red Deer, and Grande Prairie to follow

Enforcement

CFSEU enforcement officers:

conduct long-term, in-depth, investigations

target large criminal organizations

employ a variety of investigative techniques

are intelligence-led

Enforcement

Edmonton CFSEU

18 month investigation

4 people arrested

5 kilograms of cocaine

hashish, marijuana and magic mushrooms

$275,000 cash

30 firearms

3 cars and 2 boats

Enforcement

Calgary CFSEU

1-year investigation

9 people arrested

11 kilograms of cocaine

Enforcement

Medicine Hat CFSEU

sophisticated marijuana grow operation

8 people arrested

2,000 marijuana plants

$500,000 worth of grow equipment

$70,000 cash

$1 million worth of property

Enforcement

CFSEU Green Teams

located in Edmonton and Calgary

target and dismantle marijuana grow operations

seized 65,000 marijuana plants worth $78 million in 2009

could have produced 33 million joints

Support Services

Integrated Child Exploitation (ICE) units

target and apprehend people who prey on children online

located in north and south

time-consuming, in-depth, complicated investigations

from 2007-2010, investigated nearly 1,600 alleged predators and laid 466 child pornography charges

nationally recognized best practices

Support Services

Integrated Threat and Risk Assessment Centre (I-TRAC)

develops risk reduction plans for domestic violence and stalking cases

formed in 2007 by government of Alberta following plea from Katherine Whitbread

integrates experts from various fields

first in Canada

Support Services

Safer Communities and Neighborhoods (SCAN)

uses civil legislation to target problem properties being used for illegal activities

investigates complaints from the public

can obtain an order to shut-down the property

has responded to 565 complaints and resolved 461 informally

Support Services

Fugitive Apprehension Sheriffs Support Team (FASST)

tracks, investigates, and arrests criminals wanted on outstanding warrants

has cleared 4,000 warrants and made 700 arrests

Calgary JFO

Support Services

Sheriffs Investigative Surveillance Unit (SISU)

conducts surveillance operations for police around the province

Support Services

Alberta Specialized Law Enforcement Training (ASLET)

provides elite training to ALERT officers and Alberta law enforcement

curriculum evolves to remain current and covers a variety of topics

Performance

Proof of success

Comprehensive business plan

Quarterly and annual reports

Conclusion

Our results:

2,500 arrests

6,500 charges

800 kilograms of drugs

350 firearms

countless crimes prevented and victims saved

Conclusion

Questions?